It seems the Jawas of the LEGO universe have finally scavenged enough plastic bricks to put together their own sandcrawler. That's right -- LEGO will be releasing the hotly anticipated Jawa Sandcrawler set for pre-order on their website starting June 15!"Fans have been asking for a sandcrawler since we introduced LEGO Star Wars in 1999," says LEGO Global Partnerships and Alliances Director Jay Bruns. "We have had a few varieties of models that we've built internally, but this is the first time that we've put one into production."

The LEGO Sandcrawler consists of 1,669 pieces, and features the introduction of the LEGO Jawa figure -- three in fact. Other figures include Owen Lars, R2-D2, C-3PO, R5-D4, ASP droid, gonk droid, Treadwell droid, and R1-G4.

The screen mammoth translates to some rather robust dimensions in the LEGO universe as well. LEGO's sandcrawler will measure 15" long x 8" tall x 7.5" wide, scaled nicely to the mini figures that accompany the set. The packaging has returned the retro Original Trilogy Collection look that was established before Episode III, which should please fans of the vintage aesthetic.

"We've had a great time bringing the sandcrawler to life, continues Bruns. "We hope that the fans enjoy it." Judging by anticipation for this set, not even a restraining bolt is likely to hold back fans when LEGO offers them up later this month at their website.

Me wantee. I will find a way to buy one of those. I may have to get a part time job at the Mall Of America Lego store just so I can get a discount on it. Hopefully a modular Death Star similar to Jabba's Palace is in the works.

Sounds like a S@H or Lego store exclusive. Sucks, no chance for a Target super clearance on this piece.

Yep. And that's exactly why I've essentially stopped collecting the higher end Lego sets that aren't available at retail over the last few years. I'd always been able to nab all the previous Lego sets at Target for nice clearance prices (50% - 75% off), so it's really sucked that Lego has stopped distributing most of their nicer product to retail of late.

But damn, I'm still gonna have to make this beautiful Sandcrawler work somehow. That impressive droid lineup is way too sweet to pass on too! No idea why they made R1-G4 green though...

I don't know, this set might even go as high as $200. The UCS Rebel Blockade Runner had just over 1700 pieces and retailed for $200 when it came out and that had zero figures in it. I do hope it's closer to $150 though. Gonna be tough to swing this and the UCS Death Star later this year.

Wow, nearly 1700 pieces, I certainly never expected them to go so big on this one.

Now, I realize I'm being picky on this, but the white pieces seem so distracting for me. I'm assuming this is to give it the weathered look, but the lighter brown and grey pieces would have been enough for me.

A very cool set, but I usually just go with the smaller LEGO sets, so I'll probably pass on this one. I just doesn't quite have the "wow!" factor for something that's going to cost me a couple hundred bucks.

(And on another note, I'd say this is pretty good confirmation of the OTC returning...)